Methods and apparatus for lidar operation with sequencing of pulses

ABSTRACT

Described example aspects include an integrated circuit includes a timing controller configured to select a selected time slot in a measurement period having a plurality of time slots and a transmit driver configured to provide a transmit signal in accordance with the selected time slot, in which the transmit signal is transmitted to an optical transmitter. The integrated circuit also includes a range estimator configured to receive a received signal after the selected time slot from an optical receiver that is configured to receive a reflection of light transmitted by the optical transmitter off an object, the range estimator configured to determine an estimated distance of the object based on the received signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/485,147, filed Apr. 11, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/334,117, filed May 10, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In addition, this application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/396,457, filed Dec. 31, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/334,098, filed May 10, 2016, and this application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/484,975, filed Apr. 11, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/334,107, filed May 10, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to lidar, and, in particular, to preventing interference between lidar devices.

BACKGROUND

Lidar is a ranging technology used to estimate distance to a target based on transmitting light energy. Typical lidar systems operate by reflecting a transmitted narrow pulse of light off a target and estimating the amount of time it takes the pulse to return. An alternative approach is amplitude modulated continuous wave (AMCW) based lidar. In AMCW lidar, the transmitter modulates the intensity of the light with a continuous wave (CW) signal. The receiver typically estimates the time of flight based on the phase of the received CW signal relative to the transmitted CW signal.

As noted hereinabove, lidar (also called LIDAR, LiDAR, and LADAR) is a method for measuring distance to a target by illuminating that target with a laser light. The name lidar is sometimes considered an acronym of Light Detection And Ranging or Light Imaging, Detection, And Ranging. Lidar was originally a portmanteau of the words “light” and “radar.” In lidar systems, a source transmits light into a field of view and the light reflects off objects. Sensors receive the reflected light. In some lidar systems, a flash of light illuminates an entire scene. In such flash lidar systems, arrays of time-gated photodetectors receive reflections from objects illuminated by the light, and the time it takes for the reflections to arrive at various sensors in the array is determined. In an alternative approach, a scan such as a raster scan can illuminate a scene in a continuous scan fashion. A source transmits light or light pulses during the scan. Sensors that can also scan the pattern, or fixed sensors directed towards the field of view, receive reflective pulses from objects illuminated by the light. The light can be a scanned beam or moving spot. Time-of-flight computations can determine the distance from the transmitter to objects in the field of view that reflect the light. The time-of-flight computations can create distance and depth maps. Light scanning and lidar applications include: ranging; metrology; mapping; surveying; navigation; microscopy; spectroscopy; object scanning; and industrial applications. Recently, lidar applications also include: security; robotics; industrial automation; and mobile systems. Vehicles use lidar navigation and collision avoidance systems. Autonomous vehicles and mobile robots use lidar for collision avoidance and scene detection.

Lidar systems operating in the same environment may interfere with one another, as there is no way for each lidar system to discriminate its return signal from that of other lidar systems. In industrial environments, more than one robot or other device may be employing lidar. In automotive applications, other vehicles may be using lidar in the same area. Interference between lidar systems can result in erroneous operation. In safety critical applications, such as automotive or industrial applications, this type of operational malfunction is not acceptable.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an example embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a timing controller configured to select a selected time slot in a measurement period having a plurality of time slots and a transmit driver configured to provide a transmit signal in accordance with the selected time slot, in which the transmit signal is transmitted to an optical transmitter. The integrated circuit also includes a range estimator configured to receive a received signal after the selected time slot from an optical receiver that is configured to receive a reflection of light transmitted by the optical transmitter off an object, the range estimator configured to determine an estimated distance of the object based on the received signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a pulse-type lidar.

FIG. 2 is a signal graph showing the operation of the lidar of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an additional problem with lidar systems.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment lidar system.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a relationship between an example time of flight and an example measurement period.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the operation of an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the operation of another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the operation of still another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a drawing of a lidar device with scanning capabilities.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an embodiment method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generally refer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The term “coupled” may include connections made with intervening elements, and additional elements and various connections may exist between any elements that are “coupled.”

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a pulse-type lidar. Lidar 100 includes pulse generator 102, which provides timed pulses to transmit driver 104. Transmit driver 104 drives laser diode 106. Optics 108 collimates and directs the pulsed light onto a field of view that includes object 110. Optics 108 may be a fixed lens system or one of many mechanisms for scanning the light signal across a scene. Object 110 reflects and scatters the light signal. Optics 112 receives a portion of the reflected light signal and focuses it on photodiode 114. Trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) 116 amplifies the output of photodiode 114 and provides the amplified signal to receive processing unit 118. In some configurations, a photodiode 120 is positioned to receive a portion of the light signal directly from laser diode 106. TIA 122 amplifies the output of photodiode 120 and provides the output to receive processing unit 118. Receive processing unit 118 includes analog-to-digital converters (ADCs, not shown) that convert the signals received from TIA 116 and TIA 122 to digital format for further processing as described hereinbelow regarding FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a signal graph showing an example operation of lidar 100 of FIG. 1. Graph 200 shows transmit pulse 202 at a first time followed by receive pulse 204. The speed of light is known, so the distance of object 110 (FIG. 1) from the transmitter can be estimated using time of flight 206. That is, the distance is estimated as given in Equation 1:

d=(c*t _(TOF))/2  (1)

Where: d is the distance, c is the speed of light and t_(TOF) is the time of flight. The speed of light times the time of flight is halved to account for the travel of the light pulse to, and from, the object.

Receive pulse 204 has significantly smaller amplitude than transmit pulse 202. The difference between the amplitudes of the transmit pulse and the receive pulse in an application is much greater than the examples shown in FIG. 2. The reduced amplitude in the received pulse is due to the scattering, absorption and divergence of the transmitted light. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to discriminate between the receive pulse 204 and noise. In addition, the losses during flight make it necessary to use powerful lasers to ensure that the receiving photodiode receives a pulse of adequate amplitude.

FIG. 3 illustrates an additional problem with the device of FIG. 1. If multiple lidars are operating in the same environment, it is not possible to discriminate between an intended return pulse (like receive pulse 204, FIG. 2) and a return pulse from another lidar. For example, in FIG. 3 victim lidar 302 is attempting to range object 304. However, interferer lidar 306 is also attempting to range object 304. Victim lidar 302 has no way to determine that a received pulse is a return from the pulse transmitted by itself or is a return from interferer lidar 306. A time of flight calculated from any received input other than the proper receive pulse produces an erroneous distance estimate.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment for a lidar system. Lidar 400 includes timing controller 401, which controls the time slot in which lidar 400 operates (as further explained hereinbelow). Timing controller 401 sends a transmit signal to transmit driver 404 indicating when transmit driver 404 can send a driving signal to an optical transmitter, such as laser diode 406. Laser diode 406 transmits a light pulse in response to the driving signal. Optics 408 directs the light pulse to object 410. Optics 408 may be a fixed lens system. In an alternative the optics 408 can include one of many mechanisms for scanning the light signal across a scene.

Optics 412 focuses a reflection of the light pulses reflected by object 410 onto an optical receiver, such as photodiode 414. In addition, optional photodiode 420 receives a reference light signal directly from laser diode 406. TIAs 416 and 422 amplify the light signals received by photodiodes 414 and 420, respectively, and provide these signals to range estimator 417.

Range estimator 417 compares the received pulses provided from TIAs 416 and 422 to determine an estimated distance of the object 410. Range estimator 417 only compares the output of TIAs 416 and 422 after the time slot assigned to lidar 400 (as further explained hereinbelow). In an embodiment, TIAs 416 and 422 and the analog front end (AFE) components in range estimator 417 are the same or similar. This architecture allows range estimator 417 to factor out common noise and non-linearities by comparing the two signals.

Timing controller 401, transmit driver 404, range estimator 417 and TIAs 416 and 422 may be partially or wholly incorporated into an integrated circuit as indicated by group 424. For example, an integrated circuit may generate the signals and apply the signals to laser diode 406 using one or more power transistors or power modules. Transmit driver 404 may be discrete components or several components incorporated into a module. In some configurations, one integrated circuit may drive multiple laser diodes. In other configurations, a separate circuit drives each of multiple laser diodes and a common range estimator 417 analyzes the signals. The range estimator 417 may include a digital signal processor, a RISC core such as an ARM core (a product of ARM, Ltd.) or another suitable processor.

FIG. 5 is a signal graph illustrating the relationship between an example time of flight and an example measurement period in an operation of an embodiment. The measurement rate is the number of times in each period that the lidar takes a measurement. The measurement rate for most lidars is under 50 kHz. That is, a lidar with a 50 kHz measurement rate takes 50,000 measurements per second. This rate is very fast as compared to robotics and industrial applications. For example, measurement rates for these type of applications are usually on the order of 1 kHz. In contrast, the time of flight is much shorter because the light travels at approximately 3×10⁸ m/s. For example, a very long measurement of 150 m requires about 1 μS ((2*150 m)/(3×10⁸ m/s)). FIG. 5 shows that even with a very long time of flight and a very fast measurement rate, the measurement period is many times the time of flight. Time of flight 506 is the difference between transmit pulse 502 and receive pulse 504. The measurement period 508 with a measurement rate of 50 kHz is 20 μS (1/50 kHz). Thus, graph 500 shows that even with a very long time of flight 506 and a very short measurement period 508, the measurement period is twenty times longer than the time of flight.

FIG. 6 is a signal graph illustrating an operation of an embodiment. Because the measurement period 608 is much longer than the time of flight, a plurality of time slots 602, 604, 606 and so on divide the measurement period 608. The number of possible time slots is equal to the measurement period divided by the time of flight. In practice, the time of flight includes buffer time to avoid interference between time slots. Graph 600 shows three time slots. However, this configuration is only for simplicity of illustration. For example, in an industrial application, the measurement rate can be approximately 1 kHz. The maximum measurement range can be 15 m. With these assumptions, the time of flight is about 100 nS and the measurement period is about 1 mS. Thus, with this example configuration, a maximum of 10,000 slots are available. A common control, such as a computer, (not shown) defines the clock and the time periods and communicates a time slot to timing controller 401 of lidar 400 (FIG. 4) using an assignment signal. The communication link from the common control may communicate with lidar 400 using any number of media such as wired links, optical links or RF links. By assigning one time slot to one lidar, no interfering lidar, such as interferer lidar 306, is possible because only one lidar may transmit during one time slot and the time slot includes enough time to ensure that the return pulse arrives before that time slot ends. Thus, the operation of each lidar is orthogonal in time to the other lidars operating in the same environment.

FIG. 7 is another signal graph illustrating an example operation of another embodiment. Graph 700 illustrates an embodiment where there is no synchronization between lidars and/or common control. Rather, in the example of FIG. 7, each lidar picks a slot at random. In one aspect of this embodiment, each lidar includes a pseudo-random number generator in timing controller 401 (FIG. 4). With each measurement, lidar 400 (FIG. 4) selects a time slot 602, 604, 606, (FIG. 6) based on the pseudo-random number generated. With a large number of time slots, the probability of two lidars selecting the same time slot (a “collision”) using this pseudo-random number based system is very low. However, it is possible. Graph 700 shows that lidar-1 702 has selected a slot with no interference. On the other hand, lidar-2 704 and lidar-3 706 have selected the same time slot. In this case, lidar-2 704 and lidar-3 706 will receive two return pulses: one correct and one interfering.

The presence of an interfering return pulse can be detected as an “outlier.” With measurements occurring at least every 1 mS, the distance a measured object can travel between measurements is small. For example, if the distance of an object is different by 1 in between measurements, this example implies that the object is traveling at 1 in/0.001 S=1,000 m/s (2,237 mph). In the absence of a very strong explosion, this result is not a reasonable measurement. Modeling and experimentation can determine the actual parameters for detecting outliers. In the rare event that two lidars utilizing the embodiment approaches randomly pick the same time slot, the conflicting lidars can reject these measurements using outlier detection.

FIG. 8 is another signal graph illustrating an example operation of another embodiment. In graph 800, a plurality of time slots 802, 804, 806, etc. divide the measurement period 808. A common control (not shown) assigns the time slots 802, 804, 806, etc. as described regarding FIG. 6. In another configuration, lidar 400 (FIG. 4) selects a time slot from among the available time slots 802, 804, 806, etc. using a pseudo-random number generator, as described regarding FIG. 7. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, laser diode 406 (FIG. 4) transmits a continuous wave signal during the time slot. Photodiode 414 receives the reflection of the continuous wave transmitted by laser diode 406 and determines the time of flight by measuring the phase difference between the transmitted and received signals. The range estimator 417 (FIG. 4) receives the transmitted signal directly from timing controller 401 (FIG. 4) or from photodiode 420 (FIG. 4) via TIA 422 (FIG. 4). Some overlap may occur between the reflected signal and a subsequent time slot. Therefore, additional buffer time may be added to the time slot and the measurement may be limited to the later part of the time slot when such reflections have dissipated. In addition, because the waveform consists of multiple cycles of the modulation signal, the total transmit energy is divided amongst the multiple cycles resulting in lower peak transmit optical power. Thus, laser diode 406 and transmit driver 404 can be cheaper and more compact than those used in prior systems. In addition, photodiode 414 may be implemented using a p-type-intrinsic-n-type (PiN) photodiode, an avalanche photodiode (APD) or a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM).

FIG. 9 is a drawing of a lidar device with scanning capabilities. Lidar scanner 902 includes transmitter 908 and receiver 906. The optics of transmitter 908 (not shown) allow the laser pulse to be directed in a plurality of beams 904. The optics may include movable mirrors, digital micromirror devices (DMDs), movable prisms or other beam direction devices. In other implementations, separate laser transmitters transmit each of beams 904. Lidars like lidar scanner 902 sometimes use rotating mounts to allow for scanning an entire scene.

Using a system like that of FIG. 1, each of the plurality of beams 904 must allow for the time of flight for the maximum range of the device. If a second transmission transmits before the return of the first transmission, the receiving photodiode may pick up a reflection of the second transmission or scatter from the second transmission. Either one could cause an erroneous distance estimate. Therefore, each subsequent transmission must delay until it is certain that such a conflict will not occur, i.e. the time of flight for the maximum range of the device. Using an embodiment like that of FIG. 4, a time slot can be provided for each beam. Therefore, using an embodiment like that of FIG. 4, a lidar such as lidar scanner 902 may transmit any of beams 904 as soon as the time slot is available without interference between beams. Use of the embodiments thus allows for much faster scanning.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an embodiment method. Method 1000 starts with step 1002. Step 1004 assigns a lidar transmission to one of X available time slots (as described hereinabove). Step 1006 drives a laser diode (406, FIG. 4) to illuminate that target after the assigned time slot. Step 1008 receives the pulse reflected off the target after the assigned time slot. Step 1010 compares the received signal to the transmitted signal to determine the time of flight. The transmit signal of step 1010 may be provided by a monitoring photodiode, such as photodiode 420 (FIG. 4), or by providing a sync signal timing controller 401 (FIG. 4) to range estimator 417 (FIG. 4). Step 1012 determines the time of flight between the transmitted and received pulses. Step 1014 estimates the distance of the object based on the time of flight. The method ends with step 1016.

In the description hereinabove, laser diodes transmit the pulse. However, other laser devices and well-focused light sources may be used. In addition, in the description hereinabove, photodiodes receive the pulse. However, other types of photoreceptors may be effectively used.

In an example embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a timing controller configured to select a selected time slot in a measurement period having a plurality of time slots, a transmit driver configured to provide a transmit signal in accordance with the selected time slot, in which the transmit signal is transmitted to an optical transmitter, and a range estimator configured to receive a received signal after the selected time slot from an optical receiver that is configured to receive a reflection of light transmitted by the optical transmitter off an object, the range estimator configured to determine an estimated distance of the object based on the received signal.

In another example embodiment, timing controller selects the selected time slot in accordance with an assignment signal provided by a common control.

In another example embodiment, the optical transmitter provides a pulse signal.

In another example embodiment, the optical transmitter provides a continuous wave signal and the range estimator determines the estimated distance of the object based on a phase difference between the continuous wave signal and the received signal.

In yet another example embodiment, timing controller selects the selected time slot based on an output of a pseudo-random number generator.

In another example embodiment, the range estimator determines if a collision has occurred by determining if the estimated distance is an outlier.

In another example, the timing controller selects the selected time slot based on time division multiplexing of the available time slots.

In another example embodiment, the optical transmitter is a laser emitting device.

In another example embodiment, the optical receiver is a photodiode.

In another example embodiment, an optical ranging apparatus includes a timing controller configured to select a selected time slot in a measurement period having a plurality of time slots, a transmit driver configured to provide a transmit signal in accordance with the selected time slot, in which the transmit signal is transmitted to an optical transmitter coupled to receive the transmit signal and to transmit a light signal onto an object, an optical receiver configured to receive a received signal after the selected time slot, the received signal including the light signal after reflecting off the object, and a range estimator coupled to the optical receiver, the range estimator configured to determine an estimated distance of the object based on the received signal.

In another example embodiment, the timing controller selects the selected time slot in accordance with an assignment signal provided by a common control.

In another example embodiment, the optical transmitter provides a pulse signal.

In yet another example embodiment, the optical transmitter provides a continuous wave signal and the range estimator determines the estimated distance of the object based on a phase difference between the continuous wave signal and the received signal.

In another example embodiment, the timing controller selects the selected time slot based on an output of a pseudo-random number generator.

In another example embodiment, the range estimator determines if a collision has occurred by determining if the estimated distance is an outlier.

In another example, the timing controller selects the selected time slot based on time division multiplexing of the available time slots.

In another example embodiment, the optical transmitter is a laser emitting device.

In another example embodiment, the optical receiver is a photodiode.

In another example embodiment, a method for operating an optical ranging apparatus includes providing a plurality of time slots in a measurement period, selecting a selected time slot for the optical ranging apparatus, driving an optical transmitter during the selected time slot to transmit a light signal, receiving a received signal at an optical receiver after the selected time slot that is the light signal reflected off an object to provide a received signal, comparing the light signal to the received signal to determine a time of flight, and estimating a distance of the object from the optical ranging apparatus using the time of flight.

In another example embodiment, the selected time slot is selected in accordance with an assignment signal provided by a common control.

In another example embodiment, the selected time slot is selected in accordance with a pseudo-random number generator.

In another example, the selected time slot is selected in accordance with time division multiplexing of the available time slots.

In another example embodiment, the light signal is a pulse.

Modifications are possible in the described embodiments, and other embodiments are possible, within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: dividing a measurement period into a plurality of time slots; allocating a first time slot of the plurality of time slots for distance measurement; driving a lidar optical transmitter during the first time slot to transmit a first signal; receiving a second signal by an optical receiver; determining a first distance measurement based on the second signal; comparing the first distance measurement to a second distance measurement; and determining whether to accept the first distance measurement based on the comparing of the first distance measurement to the second distance measurement.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of whether to accept the first distance measurement includes determining, based on comparing the first distance measurement to the second distance measurement, whether the second signal is in response to the first signal or to a third signal.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of whether to accept the first distance measurement includes: determining a velocity based on the first distance measurement and the second distance measurement; and comparing the velocity to a threshold.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal is a continuous wave signal and the determining of the first distance measurement includes determining a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the driving of the lidar optical transmitter transmits the first signal throughout the first time slot.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal is a pulse signal and the determining of the first distance measurement includes determining a time of flight between the first signal and the second signal.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the allocating of the first time slot for distance measurement is based on an output of a pseudo-random number generator.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein: the receiving of the second signal includes receiving a plurality of signals that includes the second signal; and the method further comprises: determining a third distance measurement based on a third signal of the plurality of signals and the first signal; comparing the third distance measurement to the second distance measurement; and determining whether to accept the third distance measurement based on the comparing of the third distance measurement to the second distance measurement.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein: the driving of the lidar optical transmitter is performed by a transmit driver; the method further comprises receiving a copy of the first signal from the transmit driver; and the determining of the first distance measurement is based on the second signal and the copy of the first signal from the transmit driver.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein: the optical receiver is a first optical receiver; the method further comprises receiving a third signal in response to the first signal by a second optical receiver; and the determining of the first distance measurement is based on the second signal received by the first optical receiver and the third signal received by the second optical receiver.
 11. An integrated circuit comprising: a timing controller operable to: divide a measurement period into a plurality of time slots; and select a first time slot of the plurality of time slots; a transmit driver operable to transmit a first signal during the first time slot; a receiver operable to receive a second signal; and a range estimator operable to: determine a first distance measurement based on the second signal; compare the first distance measurement to a second distance measurement; and determine whether to accept or reject the first distance measurement based on comparing the first distance measurement to the second distance measurement.
 12. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the determination of whether to accept or reject the first distance measurement includes a determination of whether the second signal is in response to the first signal or to a third signal from another integrated circuit.
 13. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the determination of whether to reject the first distance measurement includes: a determination of a velocity based on the first distance measurement and the second distance measurement; and a comparison of the velocity to a threshold.
 14. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the transmit driver is a lidar driver, and first signal and the second signal are light signals.
 15. The integrated circuit of claim 14, wherein the lidar driver is a laser emitting device.
 16. The integrated circuit of claim 14, wherein the receiver includes a photodiode.
 17. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the first signal is a continuous wave signal, and the range estimator is operable to determine the first distance measurement based on a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal.
 18. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the first signal is provided throughout the first time slot.
 19. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the first signal is a pulse signal and the range estimator is operable to determine the first distance measurement based on a time of flight between the first signal and the second signal.
 20. The integrated circuit of claim 11, wherein the timing controller includes a pseudo-random number generator and the timing controller is operable to select the first time slot based on an output of the pseudo-random number generator. 